Lim netball star to play for Jaguars

FROM playing for Young Fighters Netball Club to playing for the University of Pretoria, Nthabiseng Mothutsi (19) from Seshego’s zone 4 will now represent the Gauteng team, Jaguars Netball Club, in the Netball Premier League (NPL), which kicks-off at the University of Pretoria’s Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday.

After a sterling performance that won her the best defensive player of the tournament award in the Polokwane Mayor’s Cup recently, Moabi, as Mothutsi is affectionately known, was expected to play for the Limpopo Baobabs in this first professional South African netball league, but fate decided otherwise.

Asked how the move came about, Mothutsi said when she went to the University of Pretoria, she not only enrolled to study towards a degree in sports science, but also joined the university netball team.

She said when she heard the Jaguars were hosting selection trials, she decided to take a chance and was genuinely surprised when she received the fantastic news that she made the final cut.

About the reality of facing-off against her former teammates in the NPL, Mothutsi said she had a mission to complete for the Jaguars and, as a professional, she will have to do what is expected of her.

“I am still finding my feet in the team because the standard here is higher and I have to always be at my best. There will be no love lost when we play against the Limpopo Baobabs and my focus is to try to do my best to help the Jaguars win the league. I would like to be selected for the national team, but the club’s glory comes first,” Mothutsi said.

Young Fighters team manager, Rose Motalane, said she had no doubt in her mind that Mothutsi would be a star for the Jaguars team.

She said Mothutsi was a hard worker and her desire to learn made her go the extra mile to perfect her moves on the court.

“We are very proud to have produced a talented player of her calibre.

“She served us with distinction and her success will serve as motivation to the youngsters we are working to develop,” concluded Motalane.